I emerged from Nicholas’s office. Hamlet loyally followed at my side, eager to take his place of choice back in my lap, his head propped on the more prominent bulge in my belly. Not quite big, but I couldn’t hide anymore.
So I no longer hid him.
The dress was designed specifically maternity, made to highlight my natural femininity or something. I picked it because it was a pretty lilac polka dot that worked well with black leggings and a pair of cute boots. It was time to play the part. The well-wishing, gossip, and social storm of my pregnancy spread through every contact, customer, and vendor servicing Atwood Industries.
Darius’s revelation caused problems. My reluctance to reveal the father caused more.
Social scandal meant more to me when Dad was alive—when everything I did and said was intended to honor the family and heighten my brothers’ statuses. But I didn’t have Josiah and Mike to worry about anymore. I had me. Mom. Bumper.
And I was doing a damn fine job leading my family and company.
“Now that’s just a sexy little dress.” Reed dropped the video game controller. He called me over with a curled finger. “Goddamn, Sarah. How are you feeling?”
His new code word for if I needed any hormones soothed in a wide ride on the couch. I flicked his forehead.
“Doctor’s appointment in a bit. I should behave.”
“What, not like you’re gonna get more knocked up.” He glanced over my shoulder at Max. “That can’t happen, right?”
Not like Max would answer. He hardly looked at me, never touched me, refused to speak to me beyond the simplest of questions or comments. Whatever guilt poisoned him pitted him in a darkness I could no longer reach. He stayed to protect me, to manage the bodyguards and security we organized, but he wasn’t my Max anymore.
And I had no idea what I did to lose him.
Or how to get him back.
“She’s at maximum capacity,” he said.
Reed’s devilish grin lured the dimple from our secrets. “Not yet. Want to get adventurous again, Sarah?”
“I feel like I have too many Bennetts in me already.”
“You can fit a couple more.”
“You’re wicked.”
His eyes, bright green and full of mischief, lingered over the neck line of my dress and fell to the swell of the baby.
“And you’re so fucking tempting.”
I glanced to Max for his declarations. He stared at his phone and entertained only his drink.
Quiet.
Sullen.
As always.
I pretended it didn’t hurt.
Nicholas returned as promised, insisting I wait so he could join me at the doctor’s appointment. His gaze brightened over me. I earned his smile.
It was a rare sight made more common in the past few weeks.
“You look…”
I shrugged. “Pregnant?”
“Lovely.” He motioned to the door. “I apologize for running late. The transition is more difficult than we anticipated.”
I handed him my contract, though I didn’t release the papers from my grip, even as he met my gaze. “Anthony looked over the agreement for my research. Everything is set. I’ve signed.”
Reed whistled. “Momentous fucking occasion. Who would have thought we’d have an Atwood research division in the company?”
“Not my father,” I said.
Nicholas agreed. “Or mine.”
“This is the right call,” I said. “Atwood Industries doesn’t have the resources or manpower to begin a research and development division. You’re actually helping me.”
“We’re helping each other,” he said. “President Atwood.”
Oh, that was a thrill. Especially as we had a new plan. Once Bumper was born, I’d take the remainder of my classes and earn my degree, all the while overseeing my labs in a directional capacity. Then, once I secured my doctorate, I’d lead the brilliant minds overseeing my research.
Dream come true.
I released the contract, and Nicholas tucked it into his jacket pocket. One discussion down. I broached the next subject carefully.
“I received an email today,” I said. “They found Bryant Maddox’s body.”
I anticipated my step-brothers’ reaction, though only Reed flinched when I mentioned his name. Max’s expression remained as dark as ever. Nicholas arched an eyebrow.
“I heard the same news.”
“He was pretty battered and bruised from the rocks under the cliff. They said he jumped and ruled his death a suicide.”
“He was a troubled man.”
“Don’t do that.” My voice lowered. “Don’t pretend, Nicholas Bennett. What really happened?”
“Apparently, Bryant wished to end his life.”
“I’m not stupid, Nick. How much did it cost you to keep this quiet?”
“Bryant made a few reprehensible, unredeemable decisions, and now he’s gone. I don’t want you to concern yourself with it.”
“I deserve to know the truth.” My gaze passed from Nicholas to Reed to Max. “From all of you. Haven’t we kept enough secrets from each other? It always ends with one of us hurt. Usually me.” I shrugged. “Sometimes Reed.”
“I promised you I’d do everything in my power to keep you safe.” Nicholas approached only to kiss my forehead. “I’m doing that, Sarah.”
I didn’t want to say it, didn’t want to think it, but his name was bitter on my tongue.
“And what about Darius? When will we be safe from him?”
“Soon.”
I shook my head. “That’s not good enough.”
“We can’t act on it and the company too. You wanted it this way. You wanted his family—and you got me. You wanted his empire—now you own it with me. Take your victories when they come, Sarah. Believe me. They are very few and far between in this world—”
It was a thud.
Not a flutter. Not a little tickle.
A freaking thud.
I gasped, my hands covering my belly. Nicholas paled, reaching for me. Max knocked his chair over. Reed leapt over the couch to my side.
“What’s wrong?” Nicholas squeezed my arm. “Sarah, what’s wrong—”
“Bumper…”
“Are you okay? Does something hurt? Here, sit—”
I grabbed Nicholas’s hand, pushing his palm against my tummy.
“No,” I whispered. “Bumper’s…bumping.”
The books said it would feel like a poke, but it wasn’t. More like a popped bubble and then a swift twump. I lost my breath in a teary gasp.
“He’s kicking?” Nicholas said.
“He’s kicking.”
Reed lunged at us, and I guided his hand to the little bumps. I waved Max over as well.
“Max, come touch this.” I wiped the tears from my cheek, blaming the hormones for the quick burst of overwhelmed joy and tender embarrassment. “It’s fucking weird.”
Max tensed, crossing his arms. “It’s fine.”
“Max.”
“Sarah, really.”
I might have thought he wasn’t attracted to me while pregnant, but I’d seen his glances, sensed his heat. Max avoided me for too many reasons, and it ached to not know why. He watched my lip tremble as I called for him, sighed, and shifted closer. He offered his hand, and I placed it over my tummy.
Bumper stopped. Max shrugged.
“I don’t feel it.”
“I think that’s all he did,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll do it again, just wait…”
Max pulled away. He skulked to the bar to pour yet another drink.
“We’ll bring him a picture of the sonogram.” Nicholas squeezed my hand. “Excited about the appointment?”
I was more than excited. I was thrilled.
Nicholas and I had never been…happy. The thought rocked me. We were in love. We survived so much horror. We had the company. Each other. But we never had the chance to exist beyond all the insanity.
Bumper kicked again.
I rubbed the swelling and fought the weepy tears. The good tears. “Let’s go see our son.”
Reed wished us luck, but I’d need more than that. I hated doctors and hospitals, though my pulmonologist never made me strip when he chastised me for my chronically disappointing lungs.
Not so for the OBGYN.
Everything about the office intimidated me, from the backless gowns that either revealed too much of my bump or all of my butt to the weird metal instruments I didn’t want anywhere near me. Nicholas promised ice cream when we were done.